Standard for restricted breed dogs in Victoria Revised November 2013 Published by the Victorian Government Department of Environment and Primary Industries Melbourne, May 2014 © The State of Victoria Department of Environment and Primary Industries Melbourne 2014 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence. You are free to re-use the work under that licence, on the condition that you credit the State of Victoria as author. The licence does not apply to any images, photographs or branding, including the Victorian Coat of Arms, the Victorian Government logo and the Department of Environment and Primary Industries logo. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en Print managed by Finsbury Green. May 2014 ISBN 978-1-74XXX-XXX-X (print) ISBN 978-1-74XXX-XXX-X (pdf) Accessibility If you would like to receive this publication in an alternative format, please telephone the DEPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186, email [email protected], or via the National Relay Service on 133 677, www.relayservice.com.au. This document is also available on the internet at www.depi.vic.gov.au Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. This is the approved standard for the purposes of section 3(3) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994. Pursuant to section 3(1) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 a restricted breed dog (RBD) is a dog that is any one of the following breeds – American Pit Bull Terrier (or Pit Bull Terrier), Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario). Under section 3(3) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 a dog that falls within this approved standard for a breed of dog specified above is to be taken to be a dog of that breed. Note: Whilst this standard is based on a fully mature dog, it would be expected that an individual American Pit Bull Terrier would reach the prescribed height and overall balance desired by the age of approximately 9 months, however body maturity and strength would not be achieved until much later – maybe two to three years plus. If possible the bitch and sire should be evaluated when considering the possibility of the puppies meeting this standard. Standard for restricted breed dogs in Victoria 1 Part 1 American pit bull terrier This part provides a regime that must be followed before an authorised officer may make a declaration to the effect that a dog is a restricted breed dog because it falls with this standard as of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed. The first step is to determine whether the dog is exempt under any of the Categories of Exemption below: 1. Categories of Exemption Categories of Exemption Dogs in respect of which the owner has one of the following certificates stating that the dog is an American Staffordshire Terrier – – a pedigree certificate from the Australian National Kennel Council; – a pedigree certificate from a member body of the Australian National Kennel Council; – a pedigree certificate from a national breed council registered with the Australian National Kennel Council; or – a certificate signed by a veterinary practitioner. Blue eyes. The colour of the coat is blue merle or pure white. Tail curled over the back. If the dog meets at least one of the Categories of Exemption in this part, the dog does not fall within the standard as of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed. Alternatively, if the dog does not meet at least one the Categories of Exemption in this part, the next step is to determine whether the dog meets the following Cumulative Requirements: Cumulative Requirements not less than 3 of the Conformation Criteria; and not less than 10 of the Physical Characteristics Criteria; and not less than 10 of the Supplementary Physical Characteristics Criteria. If the Cumulative Requirements in this part are not met, then a dog cannot be declared to be an American Pit Bull Terrier. A dog that has none of the stated Categories of Exemption in this part and meets the Cumulative Requirements in this part is a dog that falls within this approved standard as of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed. 2. Conformation Criteria Conformation Criteria (refer to figure 1) Height at withers from the ground for bitches and dogs is 43 centimetres – 53 centimetres. Weight for bitches and dogs is 14 kilograms – 36 kilograms. Muzzle is slightly shorter in length to the skull, being a 2:3 ratio of muzzle to skull. The overall outline of the breed indicates it to be slightly longer in length (point of shoulder to buttocks) than height (withers to ground). Bitches may be slightly longer than males. The distance from withers to the elbow and the elbow to the ground is generally equal. Standard for restricted breed dogs in Victoria 2 Figure 1 3. Physical Characteristics Criteria and General Appearance General Appearance The dog’s general appearance is a medium sized dog that is strongly built with well defined muscles. This breed is noted for its climbing ability and subsequent strength in its hindquarters. Physical Characteristics Criteria Head The head is proportionate to the dog (refer to figure 2). The general shape of the head is that of a blunt wedge, large and broad (refer to figure 3). The skull and muzzle are on parallel plains separated by a moderately deep stop (refer to figure 4). The skull is large, fairly flat, broad and deep, slightly tapering towards the stop (refer to figure 4). Muzzle is broad, deep and powerful with a slight taper to the nose and falls away slightly under the eyes (refer to figure 5). There is a deep median furrow reducing in depth from stop to occiput (refer to figure 6). Cheek muscles are prominent but free of wrinkles (refer to figure 6). When the dog is alerted wrinkles will form on the forehead (refer to figure 6). Lips are clean and tight (refer to figure 6). Teeth are large and a complete scissor bite ie. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws (refer to figure 7). Ears are set high on the skull, not large and half pricked or rose shaped (ie folding backwards exposing the inner burr of the ear). (refer to figure 8). Standard for restricted breed dogs in Victoria 3 Figure 2 Figure 3 Standard for restricted breed dogs in Victoria 4 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Standard for restricted breed dogs in Victoria 5 Figure 7 Figure 8 Standard for restricted breed dogs in Victoria 6 Physical Characteristics Criteria Neck The neck is moderate length and with great strength, tapering from the head into the shoulders (refer to figure 9). The neck must be free from loose skin or dewlap (loose, pendulous skin under the throat). Figure 9 Physical Characteristics Criteria Forequarters, hindquarters, tail and coat Forequarters of the dog have strong forelegs, well boned and muscular with elbows fitting close to the body (refer to figure 10). The hindquarters are strong and muscular and are in balance with the forequarters. Thighs are well developed and muscular (refer to figure 11). The tail is set in line with the back and tapers to a point (refer to figure 11). The length of the tail should reach approximately to the hock joint (refer to figure 12). The coat is short, smooth, glossy and of a harsh texture, free of undercoat. Figure 10 Standard for restricted breed dogs in Victoria 7 Figure 11 Figure 12 Standard for restricted breed dogs in Victoria 8 4. Supplementary Physical Characteristics Criteria Supplementary Physical Characteristics Criteria Nose is large with wide open nostrils and may be of any colour (refer to figure 13). Eyes are medium in size, round in shape and set low in the head – not prominent. Neck has a slight arch over the crest (refer to figures 1 and 2). The forelegs are set moderately well apart and in a straight line to the ground (refer to figure 14). The legs are straight with some flexibility in the pasterns (refer to figure 14). The body has a deep chest of moderate width (refer to figure 14). The pasterns short and fairly straight but with flexibility (refer to figure 15). The forechest should not extend far beyond the point of shoulder or below the elbow (refer to figure 16). The dog is well ribbed back with moderate tuck up (concave underline of the body curving upwards from end of the ribs to waist). The back is broad, strong, firm and level and with a slight incline at the withers (refer to figure 17). The loin is short and deep with a slight slope to the croup (refer to figure 17). The hock joint should be well bent and the rear pasterns close to the ground perpendicular and parallel to each other (refer to figure 18). The feet are round and in balance with the size of the dog, well arched and tight (refer to figure 19). The pads are hard and well cushioned. Nails are strong. At rest the tail is carried low and when excited may be carried raised. White feet and a splash of white on the chest on solid coloured dogs.